Massaging implement.



No. 767,593. Y PATENTED AUG.*16, 1904.

A. U. PATGHBN.'

MASSAGING IMPLEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1903.

No MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Miam

No. 767,593. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

A. U. PATCHBN.V MASSAGING IMPLEMENT.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 9, 1903.

NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 www 3 f @wu/u( Noreaes.

Patented August 16, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

ALVAH Ui PATOHEN, OF SYRAOUSE, NET YORK.

MASSAGING. IMPLEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,593, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed May-9, 1903.v Serial No. 156,344. (No model.)

To all whom. t may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALVA'H U. PATCHEN, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of'New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Massaging Implements, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in massaging implements, and refers more particularly to the means for transmitting an easy and rapid motion to the striker and also to certain attachments, one of which renders the device applicable -for electric treatments, in which the striker or beater constitutes one of the electrodes.

Further objects will appear in the subsequent description.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical'sectional view taken on line 1 1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an end View of the parts seen in Fig. 1, the guide-roller being shown in section. Figs. 3 and4 aresectional views taken, respectively, on lines 3 3 and 4 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the detached coupling-sections- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the Vsegments of the ring-catch for holding the coupling-sections together. Fig. 7 is a face view of one of the springs for holding the catch-segments in operative position. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8, Fig. 1. Fig. 9 isaperspective viewl of the detached roller-guide and its support, the roller forming one of the electrodes. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of one of the brackets for holding the conductor leading to the vibrating electrode. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the 'detached catch and its holding-springs, forming part of the coupling' previously mentioned.

Similar' reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

This invention comprisesa cylindrical shell or casing 1, having its opposite ends threaded interiorly for receiving threaded caps or heads 2 and 3, said cylinder being formed with a boss 4, projecting from its periphery and having a lengthwise slot 5, which receives an oscillating lever 6, said slot communicating with the interior of the cylinder and opening through the outer end and one side of the boss for permitting the removal of the lever without displacing any of the movable parts. The open end of the sides of the slot are covered by a plate 7, which is held in position by a screw-cap 8 to prevent the entrance of the dust or other foreign matter into the interior of the cylinder.

The lever 6 is constructed in the form of a bell-crank and is pivotally mounted on a pin 9, which isl secured to the side walls of the slot 5.

The head 2 is hollow and is threaded interiorly to receive a screw-threaded sleeve 10, having its outer end-knurled and exposed, whereby the sleeve 10 may be rotated, and its inner end is formed with a semi-annular rib 11, which rides in a groove 12 in the periphery of a clutch member 13. This clutch member 13 is feathered upon a rotary shaft 14 and is pivotally connected to another clutchsection, 15, the latter section consisting of a grooved collar which is pivoted to the shaft by a pin 16, so that the collar may be tilted axially, and therefore the bearings on the anges forming the sides of the groove may be disposed at an angle to the axis of revolution of the collar. These two clutch-sections 13 and 15 are locked to'rotate together, the pivotal connection between said sections being located at one side of the axis of the shaft. and the opening in the section 15, which receives the shaft, is slightly elongated to permit the grooved collar to be tilted upon its pivotal pin 16.

One end of the shaft 14 is journaled in the sleeve 10, and its other end is journaled in the head 3, and it is now apparent that the grooved collar 15 may be tilted at different angles by simply screwing the sleeve 10 inwardly and outwardly by hand, this latter operation of rotating the screw-sleeve 10 serving to slide the sleeve 13 axially upon the shaft, and owing to the pivotal connection between the sleeve 13 and collar 15 at one side of the axis of the shaft itis evident that motion is imparted to the collar 15 for rocking the same upon its pivotal axis 16, thereby changing the degree of the inclination of the collar with reference to the axis of the shaft.

One arm of the lever 6 is provided with a roller 17, which projects into the groove of the collar 15 and engages its opposite walls, so that as the shaft 14 is rotated the lever 6 is oscillated, the arc through which the lever is oscillated depending upon the degree of inclination of the collar 15 with reference to the axis of the shaft. The other arm of the lever 6 is connected to reciprocate a sliding member or plunger 18, which is movable at substantially right angles to the axis of the shaft i 14 and is guided in a socket 19 in the boss 4, which socket communicates with the slot 5. The outer end of the socket is closed by a suitable cap 20, which serves to prevent the accidental displacement of the sliding member 18 and at the same time permits it to be removed when desired by simply removing the cap, said cap being provided with an additional guide-opening 21 for the member 18.

The inner end of the sliding member 18 is provided with a transverse slot 22, in which is mounted a laterally-sliding cross-head 23, and the adjacent arm of the bell-crank lever 6 is pivotally attached to the cross-head, so that as the lever 6 is oscillated by the rotation of the collar 15 the sliding member 18 is reciprocated back and forth, and the cross-head 23 is free to slide transversely in the slot 22 to conform to the arc of movement of the adjacent end of the lever 6.

The portion of the shaft 14 which receives the sections 13 and 15 is preferably composed of an inner spindle 24 and a sleeve 25, the sleeve being keyed to the shaft or spindle 24 by the pivotal pin 16, so that both rotate together.

The end of the sleeve 25 adjacent to the head 3 is enlarged for forming a flange 26, which is hardened and has grooves in its opposite faces to receive the end thrust of suitable ball-bearings 27.

The inner end ofthe head 3 is provided with a threaded socket, which receives a threaded cap 28, and the flange 26 is interposed between the outer end of this cap and the end wall of the socket, the adjacent walls of the head 3 and cap 28 being grooved for receiving the bearings 27. The outer end, against which the outer bearings 27 abut, is preferably formed separate from the head 3 and consists of a hardened washer 29, while the outer face of the cap 28 is also hardened to receive the opposite ball-bearings.

The object of forming the sleeve 25 separate from the spindle 24 is to enable the flange 26 to be more easily hardened and to permit the -use of ashank or spindle which is of substantially the same size throughout its length.

The shaft or spindle 24 is adapted to be connected to a flexible shaft 24@ but which may be driven by any available power for rotating the tilted collar 15, and these flexible shafts are usually inclosed in a casing 3, 'which is coupled to the sleeve or head 3. I have therefore shown the casing 3 as provided with a coupling-section 30, which lits over the outer end of the head 3 and spindle V24 and is provided with a spring-catch 31, which interlocks with an annular groove 32 in the periphery of the sleeve 3 for locking the section 30 to said sleeve. This locking device consists, essentially, of two semi-annular ring-segments 33 and 34 and a Vpair of split spring-rings 35 and 36.

The semi-annular segments 33 and 34 are mounted in an annular groove 37 in the pcriphery of the coupling-section 30, the catch 31 being formed centrally upon the inner face Of the segment 33 and projects through an opening 38 in the coupling-section 30-and into the groove 32. This segment 33 is held in position by the spring 35, which encircles the periphery of said segment and bears upon the periphery of the adjacent portion of the coupling-section 30, as seen in Figs. 1 to 4, said spring' 35 serving to yieldingly hold the segment 33 against the periphery of the adjacent portion of the coupling 30, so that the catch 31 is normally projected into the groove 32. The opposite ends of the segment 34 rest upon the meeting' ends of the segment 33, said segment 34 being separated from the periphery of the adjacent portion of the coupling-section 30 to form a clearance for the operation or depression of the segments 34 and 33 to disengage the catch 31 'from the groove 32, said segments 33 and 34 being held in operative relation by the spring 36, which encircles both segments.

The portion of the walls of the couplingsection 30 diametrically opposite to the opening 38 is cut away at 39 to receive the linger, whereby a pressure may be brought to bear upon the periphery of the segment 34 for depressing the catch 31 out of the groove 32 against the action of the spring 35, whereupon the coupling-section 30 may bc readily removed endwise from the sleeve 3.

The inner face of the catch 31 is beveled to permit the coupling-section 30 to be slipped over the end of the sleeve 3 and automatically inter-locked therewith.

The reciprocatory member 18 is provided with a socket opening from one end for receiving a stem 40 of a striker or kneader 41. This striker is reciprocated intermittently by the sliding member 18 and is provided with an electrode 42, which forms one of the terminals of an electric circuit andmay be connected to any source of electric energy by a wire 43, said electrode being insulated from the stem 40 by an insulating-block 44.

Mounted upon the supporting-frame and preferably secured to the head 2 is a bracket 44, to which is secured by a screw 45 an ad- IOO IIO

face'of the striker 41 or electrode 42, said' roller being electrically connected by a wire 48 to the source of electric energy and forms the other electrode, said roller being insulated from the support 46 by bearings 49,-of insulating material, in which the roller-supporting spindle is mounted.

In order that the wires 43 and 48 may be:

properly supported or held from entanglement with the other parts of the machine, I provide a bracket4 50, one end of which is clamped upon the cylinder 1, and its other end is provided with spring-hooks 51, while the bracket 44 is provided with a similar spring hook or loop 5 2, as best seen in Figs. 1, 2, 9, and 10.

The primary object of providing the roller 47 is to form ayielding support or guide which is adapted to bear upon the part of the body being treated, so that the intensity of the blow produced by the reciprocating motion of the striker 41 may be regulated either by slightly tilting the device upon the roller, as the fulcrum, or by adjusting the arm 46 and roller 47 with reference to the beating-surface of the striker.

In the application of my invention the coli lar 15 is tilted to the desired angle by means ofthe screw 10 to produce the desired movement of the striker 41, after which the roller 47 is brought into contact with the part of the body to be treated, which roller partially supports the weight of the device, which may be then moved along that part of the body, so that the massage treatment may be distributed over as large a surface as needed, the rolle'r serving to guide the device and to hold the massaging-surface a uniform distancev from the surface to be treated, and by utilizing these two parts 42 and 47 as electrodes of an electric circuit it is evident that an electric treatment may be given at the same time with a massaging treatment, if necessary, or the device may be simply used as a massaging implement by simply disconnecting the wires. Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a massaging implement, the combination of a support, an intermittently-movable striker, a rotary shaft operatively connected to actuate the striker, and a guide-rest on the support at one side of the striker.

2. In a massaging implement, the combination of a striker, a rotary shaft operatively connected to actuate the striker, and a yielding guide-rest for the purpose described.

3. In a massaging implement, a reciprocatory striker or beater and operating means therefor, in combination with a guide-rest for the implement and a yielding support for the rest.

4. In a massaging implement, the combination with an electric circuit, a reciprocatory member' carrying an insulating-block, a metal striker-plate on said block and electrically connected in the circuit, and means to actuate said member.

5. In a massaging implement, an electric circuit, in combination with two electrodes in said circuit, one having a reciprocating action and the other ayielding action, and means to actuate the reciprocating electrode.

6. In a massaging' implement, an electric circuit, in combination with two electrodes in -said circuit arranged one in advance of the tion with an electric circuit of a reciprocating electrode in said circuit, and a rotary shaft operatively connected to actuate the electrode.

10. In amassagingimplement, the combination with an electric circuit, of a reciprocating electrode in the circuit, a 'rotating shaft, operatively connected to actuate said electrode, a second electrode located at one side of the former electrode, and a support for the parts.

11. In amassaging implement, the combination with a support and an intermi-ttinglymovable electrode, of a rotary collar operatively connected to actuate the electrode, said collar being tiltable axially to vary the movement of the electrode, and means to tilt the collar.

12.- In a massaging implement, the combination of asupport, a striker having an electrode thereon, mechanically-operated means, operatively connected to actuaterthe striker, a second electrode at one side of the striker, and a yielding support for thesecond electrode.

13. In a massaging implement, the combination with an inclosing case, of a rotary shaft journaled in the case, a collar rotating with the shaft and tiltable axially, means on the case to tilt the collar, and a striker operatively connected to and actuated by the collar.

14. In a massaging implement, the combination with an inclosing case, of a rotary shaft journaled in the case, a grooved collar rotating with the shaft and tiltable axially, means to tilt the collar, a striker, and an oscillatory member riding in the groove of the collar and operatively connected to operate the striker.

15. In a massaging implement, the combina- IOO IIO

motion from the tiltable part to the striker.

16. In amassagingimplement, the combination with a rotarT member tiltable axially to Vary the angle of its end face relative to its axis otl rotation, means for adjusting the angle IO of inclination of said member While the latter is rotating', and a reeiprocatory striker operatively connected to and actuated by said member.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th Clay of May, 1903.

ALVAH U. PATCHEN Vitnesses:

H. E. CHASE, MInDRED M. NoTT. 

